Green Zones of Athens

Since the 5th century BC it was evident that few were the parks and the green zones in general, inside the city, which explains the droughts that always tormented Athens. Of course, there is a big difference between a drought and the inexcusable absence of green belts. What was the reason that caused Athens to be built so cooped up, with adjoined buildings?

Was it its speedy development done in haste because the waves of immigrants needed to be housed? Why is the analogy of square areas of green belts per inhabitant (according to a 1994 survey) 9 for the Eternal City of Rome, 27 for Amsterdam, 50 for Washington, but just 2,55 for Athens?

Setting aside the rhetorical questions and looking on the map, the large green areas could be counted on two hands.

The National Garden, Pedion tou Areos and other large green zones are far off what is internationally called "park".

Practically, the City of Athens has no green belt corresponding to its size and we regard as "lungs of the city" the planted with cypress trees cemeteries, for example the First Cemetery of Athens.

The Ministry of Environment & Energy announced some years ago the plans to unify the green belts, similar to the unification of the archaeological sites. For the time being, residents and visitors must be content with the continuous remodeling of the existing green zones.

Green Zones of Athens

Athens National Garden

What we probably do not know about the formerly "Royal" Garden of Athens is that it has existed since the ancient times as part of the greenery near the river bed of Ilissos. Of course, it took thousands of years and the initiative taken by King Otto to remodel the city of Athens in 1834 to enable the garden to reach its present shape.... more

Pedion tou Areos Park (Athens)

Pedion tou Areos (meaning Aresʼ Square), is the largest green area in Athens - considering Athenian reality - between Alexandraʼs Avenue and Evelpidon Street. It is one of the "lungs" of the city with a big network of aisles and paths.... more

Attiko Alsos (Athens)

The Attiko Alsos forest occupies a large part of the Tourkovounia Mountain, covers an area of 550 acres and has a maximum altitude of 337 meters.... more